Food makes a fine donation
Flathead County Library patrons got a chance to trim their debt and fatten up the food bank during Food For Fines Week. As part of its celebration of National Library Week, the library invited its customers to trade in their book fines, a dollar at a time, for donations of nonperishable food items. Each food item equaled $1 in overdue fines.
The library collected more than 1,300 pounds of food was collected for local food banks during the Food for Fines week, allowing library customers to help the community at the same time they squared their debt to the library.
Food was accepted at libraries in Bigfork, Columbia Falls, Kalispell and Whitefish.
Opportunities abound around the valley for easy ways to help the Flathead Food Bank. Letter carriers are getting ready to participate in the annual National Letter Carriers Food Drive on Saturday, May 14.
Check the grocery ads for sale prices on nonperishable food donations this year and add them to your regular grocery list. The food bank is particularly in need of canned meat, beans (chili, baked, refried, etc.) and baby food and formula.
Letter carriers will collecting the food during their regular routes that day, so all you need to do is bag your items and place them by your mailbox for collection.
"This food drive is so important," says food bank director Robin Layton, "because during the summer months our expenses exceed our income."
The pantry constantly needs to replenish its shelves with basic staples such as canned soup, vegetables and fruit, pasta and spaghetti sauce.
Last year the food drive collected almost 11,600 pounds of food for the Flathead Food Bank and all its satellite pantries.
State senator and project chairman Dan Weinberg recently expressed his appreciation to the people in and around Whitefish for their generous contributions to the Wave.
"This magnificent facility was made possible by your contributions of money, time, creativity and moral support," he wrote. "John Kramer's tireless efforts were essential to the project's success. Susan and Brad Seaman brought creativity that sets the Wave apart from all other facilities of its kind. The board of directors always gave solid encouragement and support for the project."
He credits Marty Gilman for heading up the project's team of lending institutions and making sure the money was in place when it was needed; the Whitefish City Council, and all those community artists who contributed to the project; along with Stan DeBlauw and Shawn Baker of Swank Enterprises. "They were great to work with and gave us a wonderful facility."
Weinberg closed his letter with appreciation for project manager and consultant Doug Mahlum and on-site manager Art Krueger's enthusiasm, creativity and commitment.
More than 700 individuals, families and businesses donated money, goods or services. "Your generosity has been enormous," Weinberg wrote. "Never before have I seen a team work so well together. Never before have I been so grateful. Thank you."